Cheng Ran's first day at the research institute wasn't too busy. It was a 9-to-5 job, and it was the first time he had ever experienced leaving work so early.
When they got home, before dinner was even ready, Nannan was the first to run out and jump into his arms.
"Daddy, Daddy..."
"Hey!"
He put down his briefcase, picked up his daughter, and Jiang Wanqing prepared rice cereal in a bottle and gave it to him to feed.
She reached out and wiped his sweat, asking with concern, "How was your day? Are you settling into your new job?"
"Yes, it's pretty good. The work is much easier than in the army. The division of labor is clear, and I just need to do my job well. It's not tiring."
Jiang Wanqing believed this. Arranging for him to go to the research institute was a form of compensation, so naturally he wouldn't be as tired as he was in the army.
"Have you met the friend your dad mentioned?"
“I didn’t see him in person; he was out on an inspection trip. I only saw his daughter, Wang Yan.”
The girl… Jiang Wanqing’s eyes flickered slightly, but she quickly returned to normal.
"oh."
"What’s wrong with you?"
Cheng Ran noticed that she was a little upset, so he freed one hand, pinched her cheek, and chuckled.
"Nothing much, I'm happy for you. Meeting a new colleague, just from the name, you can tell she's energetic and vibrant, that's great," she said.
"Hahaha……"
"What are you laughing at? What did I say wrong?"
"You're right."
Hearing his answer, Jiang Wanqing felt inexplicably down. If he wasn't wrong, then he was right. This was the first time he had ever remembered a woman's name so quickly, besides her.
Moreover, there must be more than one person with the surname Wang at the research institute, but he remembered that one.
“However…” He paused, then suddenly leaned closer to Jiang Wanqing and kissed her on the cheek.
"Whether others are energetic or not has nothing to do with me. I only care about you and Nannan."
"Hmph, that sounds nice, I'll believe you for now."
Jiang Wanqing suppressed her overwhelming happiness as the family of three chatted and laughed in the sunset.
After dinner, Nannan went with her maternal grandparents to put her to sleep, while Cheng Ran and his wife slept in the master bedroom.
He placed one hand on Jiang Wanqing's head as a pillow, held her in his arms, and pressed the other hand against the blanket.
"There's something I need to discuss. The research institute is organizing an outdoor activity to foster camaraderie among colleagues. Families are welcome to participate. Would you and your daughter like to come along?"
She closed her eyes and shook her head: "Why would I go to your institute's team building activities? I'm not going."
He hugged her tightly and nuzzled her neck: "But I miss you. I want to introduce you to everyone."
She slowly opened her eyes, turned her neck slightly, and the two looked at each other in the dim light.
She raised her hand to cover her face, a little embarrassed.
"We've been married for so long, there's no need for this. Everyone knows we're married. Are you trying to assert your dominance, or do you want me to do it?"
"I want both."
Cheng Ran's answer made her laugh again. He hugged her tightly, and the two chuckled softly.
Because of his strong insistence, Jiang Wanqing had no choice but to set aside that day and take Nannan to participate in the activity for him.
This was his first activity after joining his new unit, so Jiang Wanqing, as his family member, also attached great importance to it. She specially took her daughter to buy new clothes.
On the day of departure, the family of three wore clothes of the same color scheme, which attracted considerable attention as soon as they arrived at the event venue.
"Wow, look, those are Comrade Cheng's wife and daughter."
"His wife is really beautiful, even more beautiful than the stars in magazines."
"And their daughter, so beautiful and lovely."
"Yes, such a happy family is so enviable."
People tend to appreciate beautiful people and things, and this scene is the kind of life many people dream of.
Wang Yan saw it too, her face showing jealousy, and her colleague who was licking her smelly feet nudged her arm.
"Comrade Wang, if you ask me, you are much prettier than Comrade Cheng's wife. Look at her, she's aged and lost her beauty after having children. No matter how pretty she is, it's all makeup. Unlike you, you're naturally beautiful and come from a good family. If you had appeared first, who knows who would have gotten Comrade Cheng?"
These words struck a chord with Wang Yan. She proudly raised her chin, hummed twice, and didn't reply, but she clearly looked very satisfied.
“Come on, let’s go say hello and show our friendliness!” She squinted, stood up from the grass, and dusted off her skirt.
Today she wore a red and white polka dot dress, a pair of patent red leather shoes, and her hair was styled in a side braid.
"Comrade Cheng, your daughter is so cute, may we take her out to play?"
People who like children, as well as those who bring their own children, came over to inquire.
Cheng Ran glanced at Jiang Wanqing, who naturally nodded.
"Of course you can, little girl. You must listen to your uncles and aunts, don't run around, and get along well with other children, okay?"
"Yes, I know."
Nannan got down from Cheng Ran's arms and joined the harmonious atmosphere of the other people's activities.
He freed his hand, raised his chin to signal her to take his arm, and Jiang Wanqing gave him a coquettish glare.
"Keep a low profile."
"Let's go take a look over there."
Just as the two were about to head to where Nannan and the others were playing, Wang Yan came over with a group of people, a feigned friendly smile on her face.
"Comrade Cheng, this is..."
Knowing full well the answer, Jiang Wanqing saw through the man's ill intentions and frowned slightly.
Without her having to say anything, Cheng Ran introduced them.
"My wife's surname is Jiang."
"Ah, so you're Comrade Cheng's wife. I've long heard that your wife is both beautiful and talented. Seeing you today..." Wang Yan looked Jiang Wanqing up and down, then covered her mouth and laughed. "Sorry, I thought I had mistaken her for someone else."
The people behind her laughed, giving off a feeling of a small group bullying someone.
But Jiang Wanqing wasn't buying it; she took a breath in surprise.
"Is this person also from the research institute?"
“Yes,” Wang Yan replied proudly.
"I must be sorry for my poor eyesight, but I thought you were different from everyone else because your temperament seemed out of place."
"I guess I'm prettier."
"No, it's your illiterate air, as if you've never read two books, that makes me wonder when the research institute started hiring people like you."
"you……"
Jiang Wanqing's words infuriated Wang Yan. Her eyes widened, and she could no longer maintain her feigned friendliness. She even considered seeking Cheng Ran's protection.
"Comrade Cheng, isn't your wife going too far? How could someone as good as you have such a partner!"
"Watch your tone! My wife always treats people the way they are!"
The people behind Wang Yan lowered their heads. How embarrassing! Their provocation failed, and they got themselves into trouble.
The couple bypassed the few annoying people and went to sit somewhere else.
"Is this the daughter of that old friend of your dad's, the one surnamed Wang?"
"Hmm." He casually replied, "Her dad is a leader at the research institute. Hmph, I guess she didn't get into the institute through the proper channels."
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